Collyhurst and Moston Boxing Club is set for a major revamp - thanks to the help of local grime rapper Bugzy Malone.

The gym has been at the forefront of Manchester boxing for 100 years, and celebrated their centenary with an event in the summer.

Trainers Tommy McDonagh and Pat Barrett now want to keep taking the club from strength to strength, with Bugzy keen to contribute in any way he can.

The plan is to upgrade some of the facilities at the gym, including a classroom area, so that youngsters can also be educated while they are there.

Before turning to music and becoming one of the leading grime artists in the country, Bugzy boxed at Collyhurst and Moston alongside the likes of Zelfa Barrett and Lyndon Arthur, who are two of the gym’s most promising talents.

The 26-year-old now hopes improving the gym can help attract more kids through the doors, helping them learn the disciplines of the sport just like he did.

Tommy McDonagh pictured with youngsters from Collyhurst and Moston

“Collyhurst and Moston was where I learned about professionalism. I’d never had a job prior to walking in the gym, and I witnessed the hard work that went into being a boxer,” Bugzy told MEN Sport.

“Boxing is one of the hardest jobs in the world, so when I found my career path, what I’d learnt in the boxing gym meant I was head and shoulders above everybody else.

“It’s definitely been a big part of my success and I’m now excited to help take the gym to the next level.

“It feels right to improve the gym now. We’ve got guys like Zelfa Barrett and Lyndon Arthur here at the moment and they are major unbeaten prospects in British boxing.

“I think doing this can help take a lot of the kids off the street, as it gives them a place to go to and learn and stay out of trouble.”

Zelfa Barrett pictured with Tommy McDonagh, Lyndon Arthur, Scott Quigg and other members from Collyhurst and Moston

Tommy McDonagh has been at the forefront of the plans to revamp the gym, and he says the influence of Bugzy has massively helped.

“The phone hasn’t stopped ringing from people saying they’ll help in any way they can. We’ve had loads of people offering to do signs, windows and all sorts, and they have come out through Bugzy,” he said.

“Having Bugzy here is something to break down barriers with some of the younger kids. You could have a real tough nut kid coming in here and it may be hard to get through to them, but once they realise that Bugzy is involved, I have a way of connecting with them.

“The gym is in a good place at the moment. We’ve just had the centenary and now we’re hoping that this will bring us forward for the next 100 years.

Tommy McDonagh pictured with youngsters from Collyhurst and Moston

“The education aspect is massive as well. A lot of these young kids don’t enjoy learning, but with Bugzy putting his stamp on it then it helps to get them interested.

“The plan is to possibly start work this weekend, but obviously we’re a community club so we can’t just close it down because we have boxers in the gym who need to prepare for fights.

“We can start improving the classroom area pretty much right away, and then move on to other areas with volunteers helping late at night and on weekends.

“If we shut the gym down it would probably take around 10 days, but doing it our way it will hopefully be done over five weekends.

“Any other help people could offer would be great, but this is definitely happening and we can’t wait to get started.”